That’s It! A Rescue Ranch Ah-Ha Moment

Whenever I write about the Rescue Ranch, I try to convey the difference between it and other rescues, especially when I am asking for help. Until today, I have never been able to pinpoint it, in a nutshell, so to speak.

It is well known, that along with my Chron readers and Rescue Ranch Angels–and Ed Bond, Dr. Sears’ right hand–we’ve given the world Dr. Sears’ cure for Canine Distemper and associated protocols. We’ve also given the world his developed protocol to cure Canine Parvo. These were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that made a difference for all dogs–and I knew, that no matter what the cost would be to us personally, we had to go forward. So, we dusted them off and created total protocols–and proved that they worked. Now, an infinite number of dogs’ have, and will be saved, all over the world. Together, we made a significant difference with our lives. That’s the only thing that mattered.

Some people have asked why we did this? Why did we willingly sacrifice our personal finances and future financial security? Why would we work ’round the clock to do this, costing us a piece really of our own lives? Why did we then take in and care for animals who were “left over”–who were so badly abused or injured or suffering–and just “dumped” upon us, or the clinic, giving up endless nights of sleep for years (still), even to the extent sometimes of going without our own basic needs, “just”" to help the animals…

I’ve tried to explain that we do it, and continue to do it, because we wanted to right the wrongs done by humans–but it was more than that. We wanted to make sure that the animals knew love in their lifetime–along with soft beds, hugs, running on–or even just laying on–green grass, eating pizza–and burgers, sweet potatoes and cheese…We wanted them to learn how it felt to be hugged or touched or held with care; to laugh; to sing; to dance (yes, animals can do it all and so much more…) but it was more than all of that, all put together. I just didn’t have the words to explain, in full, “why” we do all of these things, more than summing it up by saying, it is simply the right thing to do.

Then, a new magazine arrived over the weekend. It was the premier issue–with stunningly beautiful photography and articles I have yet to read–but there was a quote that stood out immediately as I flipped through it AND, in that moment, I had the complete explanation for why we do what we do for the animals that come to the Rescue Ranch: It is about saving their souls! That was a giant “Ah-Ha” moment for me. That is the answer.

“The most vital ingredient in solving the overflow of homeless dogs (animals)

–an “ah-ha” moment for sure. The Rescue Ranch is not about moving a traumatized animal to another home/place to live/carry on, without first healing–if possible. If not, they are welcome to stay for the rest of their lives.

Any animal who has been in a shelter is traumatized. Any animal who has been abandoned by their family is traumatized. Any animal who has been hit by a car, lost an eye, had it’s guts opened up by a human (yep) or an animal, been attacked, has suffered for a long time with mange or another condition and left untreated, has been traumatized….

Maybe they will heal some with the love of a foster family or loving and understanding adopter but mostly, since we take on the really extreme cases, they need full-time, years-long recovery–from learning to trust humans again, to learning how to act inside a home, to healing deep boo-boos, both seen and unseen. That is what the Rescue Ranch is all about. We work to heal the animals bodies–and their souls.

But “Why” you ask again, do you continue, giving up everything to do this? For reasons we don’t completely understand, God placed this in our lives and so we will do our best to make Him proud. We can’t question why or how because it is beyond our comprehension. We just had to accept that this is our mission or ministry at this moment in time and will do the best that we can to fulfill it…We also know that when He places something in your life to do, He gives you the means to do it–and so, we are calling all Angels…

(Email me for the information and documents that you’ll need to submit: hopeformany@gmail.com)

Helping the Rescue Ranch just is the right thing to do. It is different than a rescue, it is the place of healing.

We do it simply out of love. We give up everything to do it. We gave the world cures for canine diseases so you never have to worry again and share any thing else that we learn with you –so you can help your own animals. Together, we can also save the souls of animals, who were so damaged physically or emotionally or both, that another rescue group would have “just” euthanized them–and in fact, several that are here, were left behind by the ordinary rescues. That would have been so wrong, for through no fault of their own, they didn’t deserve to lose their lives..

The blessing, in helping the Rescue Ranch animals, is yours to take–or yours to turn away from. I hope that you choose the latter (first). All of us need extra blessings–whether they show up in this life or when we reach the Pearly Gates. All we want to hear is, “Well done, my good and faithful servants.” We see the blessings every day–the wagging tails, the first kisses, the hugs, the first hugs…and try to share them with you through my stories and photos, both here and on the Rescue Ranch blog: www.firststop-laststop.com/blog.html

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Mebs: From Under the Bridge Mascot

I've been an animal rescuer and advocate since forever! I remember bringing home every size, breed, type of animal, bird, reptile to my parent's house--and then carried it over to my adult life. When I saw there was a need to help disabled animals, I co-founded the Rescue Ranch in Houston (http://hopeformany.org) and need angels to help with some of the supplies/wish list items. I've been writing the Pet's blog for the Houston Chronicle since 2008 after 15 years of writing for newspapers and magazines as well as rescuing/advocating for animals. I hope you join me there, too: http://blog.chron.com /fromunderthebridge. Hugs from the Herd! (Our baby, Mebbie or Mebs, is this blog's mascot. She is the reason that so many have lived. Sending kisses to heaven...)